Packaging

Los Angeles -- Online high-end candy retailer Sugarfina has opened its first-ever store, a 1,400-sq.-ft. boutique in Los Angeles. The brand is known for its signature turquoise Bento Boxes, a luxurious candy gift box, and such “cocktail” candies as Champagne Gummy Bears, Cuba Libre (spiced rum and coke gummies) and Peach Bellini Gummies.

Duracell plans to donate up to 1 million batteries to Toys for Tots as part of its Power a Smile program, marking the brand's largest donation to the organization to date.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Real Estate Group has named Emily Dutson as the firm’s first in-house marketing associate.

Beginning on Dec. 1, she will oversee all channels of marketing and public relations for each of Mid-America’s locations in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. She will provide all online, social media, website and print content as well as promotional initiatives and media communications.

Milwaukee – Harley-Davidson is debuting a new Pinterest pinboard at Pinterest.com/harleydavidson. The pinboard features holiday gifts as well as 2014 bikes, custom items, and parts and accessories.

Starting Nov. 26 and running through Dec. 24, people can create their own pinboard with Harley-Davidson items. Harley-Davidson will pick nine weekly winners at the $25-$200 level and one $10,000 grand prize winner with no purchase necessary.

By Maria Haggerty, president, Dotcom Distribution

More than 1,000 U.S. merchants will offer free shipping this Dec. 18 on all orders with guaranteed delivery by Christmas. Just six days before Christmas, free shipping day attracts troves of last-minute shoppers looking for a good deal and generated more than one billion dollars in online sales last year.

Minerco Resources announced that Level 5 Beverage Co. has acquired VitaminFizz, a low-calorie, vitamin-enriched soda that was developed by Power Brands Consulting. VitaminFizz was extensively tested in the market in 2011, but the launch was delayed while efforts were focused on other consumer brands.

Harley-Davidson is looking to drive holiday sales by leveraging the power of Pinterest to promote its new online holiday gift guide.

CVS unveiled during a New York City press event on Wednesday the spring 2014 collection of its exclusive Nuance Salma Hayek line.

The new collection, which will begin shipping in January, features products for hair and skin.

New York -- Embattled Southern celebrity chef Paula Deen is opening a headquarters and store in Clarence, N.Y., a suburb of Buffalo, this February. The shop, Paula Deen Foods, will include a showroom designed to resemble Deen's home kitchen and offer products from her branded line of goods.

San Francisco -- Gap's new global marketing campaign, "Make Love,” includes print, outdoor, direct mail, social and cinema, as well as new digital content daily.